Allen Yoder, Jr.

Allen Yoder, Jr., 88, of Middlebury,m passed away at Elkhart General Hospital Tuesday afternoon, April 19, 2016, of natural causes.

He was born August 4, 1927 in Elkhart County, Indiana to Allen and Sophie (Ummel) Yoder, Sr.

He attended Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio.  On May 6, 1951 he married Marie J. Haney at Goshen City Church of the Brethren.

She survives, along with four children, Mike (Rhonda) Yoder of Middlebury; Kent Allen (Gaye) Yoder of Middlebury; Dru (Richard) Gentle of Goshen; and Scott (Sarah) Yoder of Middlebury; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dale Yoder of Goshen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and three sisters.

A very active lifetime area resident, Mr. Yoder farmed from 1951 to 1966 and was honored in 1958 as Elkhart County Farmer of the Year.  After two years at St. Joseph Valley Bank, Mr. Yoder in 1969, joined a new enterprise, Jayco, where he served as president from 1985 to 1993.  A founder of Deutsch Kἅse Haus, he also served as president there from 1975 to 2002.

Mr. Yoder enjoyed vocal and instrumental music and lent his skills as a tenor to many groups, including the church choir, Menno Singers, and Camarata Singers.

An active volunteer, Mr. Yoder served on many boards of directors, including Faith Mission, Goldenrod, Goshen Hospital and Healthcare Foundation, Elkhart County Extension, Middlebury Community Schools, National Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, and Bluffton College/University.

He grew up in the Silver Street Mennonite Church, which he joined at a young age.  He filled many leadership roles there, including teaching Sunday school and leading the effort to move from the country to town, when the church became Silverwood Mennonite.  He was devoted to his family and the Mennonite Church.

Friends may call Friday, April 22, 2016, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.  and Saturday April 23 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  at Silverwood Mennonite Church, 1712 W. Clinton St., Goshen, where a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m.,  Sunday, April 24, 2016.

A private family burial will take place at Cornell Cemetery, Middlebury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Silverwood Mennonite Church, Bluffton University, or Faith Mission, Elkhart.